A dream accommodation
The mountains are covered with thick forests inhabited by lonely huts that for centuries have lived from cattle ranching, one of Norway's ancient economic activities that has given way to oil, gas and fishing. The colorful houses of the fishermen are at the foot of the slopes , behind the jetty where the remains of ancient viking boats they remember that in their day they were conquered. Today, many of those farms have been converted into small hotels where they make you want to go out and chop wood, sit by the fire and write a novel.
Norway can boast of being the country with the largest number of fjords in the world, spread from north to south along its entire west coast. Some of the best known are Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord , named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We stopped at Lysefjord, near the Stavanger region; and in the Nærøyfjord, which we can access from Bergen in the mythical Flamsbana, one of the most beautiful trains in the world whose journey leaves its passengers speechless. And it is that one of the advantages of the Norwegian fjords (we have not yet found any inconveniences, not even the climate) is that to enjoy nature we can do it on foot, bicycle, train, boat or car. All means of transportation are accepted.
One of the steepest trains in the world.
THE VIEWPOINT FARM
High above the Sognefjord, where Nærøyfjord joins its sister Aurlandsfjord, is possibly one of the most charming lodges in the Norwegian fjords. Is about Stygen , an old abandoned farm that in 1992 was bought by a family from the area. Since its rehabilitation, in 1994, the marriage has not stopped receiving reservations and travelers. Its main characteristic is its location: on the heights and surrounded by sheep that graze freely in its surroundings. Organic vegetables are grown in its gardens and, in good weather, meals are enjoyed outdoors, overlooking the sea. The farm only has capacity for 10-14 people, so finding an available bed is quite complicated. It is one of the accommodations with the longest reservation list of the area.
The reason for its growing demand also has to do with its difficult accessibility, a challenge for many who want to isolate themselves from the world. To get to Stigen you have to be in good shape , as are almost all Norwegians. The ascent is made on foot from its pier, to the side of the mountain. To get there, many of the tenants do it by kayak, while the most comfortable opt for the boat. We can choose the options in the port of Undredal which is reached both by road and by sea from Flåm. The effort It will have been worth it when you soak in the outdoor hot tub while looking out over the whole of Nærøyfjord.
unbeatable views
THE ECOLOGICAL VILLAGE
The same family has dedicated itself to rehabilitating old farms in a farming and ecological village a few kilometers beyond the Sognefjord, in fresvik , one of the starting points for many mountain hiking trails or water sports. The two lodgings that we find here are characterized by being surrounded by hot tubs by the sea, its vegetable and fruit gardens, as well as the chickens and pigs with which it has to live.
AT THE FEET OF THE PULPIT OF THE GODS
the pulpit , or the Preikestolen in Norwegian, it's the reward of a two-hour climb alongside glacial lakes. At just over 600 meters high, this natural viewpoint allows you to get the best views of the Lysefjord, the fjord of light . It has become the icon of Norway and receives tens of thousands of visitors every year . Some (and some), in search of that man who posed naked on the Kjeragbolten. In both cases, the path is the same and, although it requires being in good physical shape, it is not as complicated as you may think at the time of the ascent. No, you're not going to die.
Overlooking Lake Refsvatn
The best time to visit it is at dawn or dusk, so to avoid getting up early, it is advisable to spend the night right at the beginning of the path, in ** Preikestolen Fjellstue: an old farm restored as a hotel with three independent buildings.** The fireplace in your entrance and the walls covered with wood will make you love winter above all things ( and that you want them to light the flame, of course ) . The central building has 27 rooms, although this does not really correspond to the farm. To stick to the subject, we will only have to descend a few meters, there is the Vatnegården , currently converted into a house with four rooms overlooking the Refsvatn lake.
THE PARADISE OF THE PASTRIES
on the shores of lauvikk , also in the Stavanger region and next to the Lysefjord is a small town taken over by confectioners: Bakernes Paradis , founded in 1920 as a summer resort for members of the region's association of pastry chefs. For 90 years, there was only candy, children running along its pier and families enjoying the summer season. The hammocks in the gardens make us think that it is still a refuge for many of them who do not lose faith in the sun rising. From the same pier, about forty minutes by boat from Stavanger, it smells like fresh bread . It arrives from one of the cabins rising from the shore, now converted into a restaurant and cafeteria.
Here sweet is king
there are produced some of the best Norwegian fjord sweets , all of them organically: jam, butter, chocolates; but also other products of livestock activity, such as sausages, meat and dairy products. Cared for down to the smallest detail, this house serves as a prelude for those looking for a refuge for the night. Bakers Paradis has rooms nearby owned by old farms whose breakfasts are possibly the best in all of Norway (and the world in general).
Whichever option you choose, get used to the boat . To move around the Norwegian fjords this is essential.
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*** You may also be interested in...**
- Things to do in Stavanger when the sun rises
- The most beautiful villages in Norway
- Practical guide to see Northern Lights
- 30 photos that will make you want to move to Norway
Bakernes Paradis